Man arrested for burning woman in Laurel

By
Washington Post Editors

Howard County police have arrested a man who is believed to have set a woman on fire in Laurel Saturday.

The incident occurred in a wooded area near Gorman Road around 2:45 p.m. Saturday, according to a press release from Howard County police. Authorities believe the people involved may be homeless and living in the woods.

Police received a call from a witness who reported that a man had set a woman on fire. The witness, also believed to be homeless, ran to a nearby store to call police.

Police and fire personnel responded and found the woman in the woods. Police said the woman, who was not identified by police, was taken to Bayview Burn Center with severe burns.

Officers began a search for the suspect and spotted the man on Greenwood Place around 5 p.m. Saturday. Police took him into custody and were working to confirm his identity.

Please note that "Laurel" is a city wholely within Prince George's County. The grgeater Laurel area includes Montgomery, Howard, and Anne Arundle Counties. To the casual reader, this kind of headline adds to the negative perceptions of the City and Prince George's County. How much does it cost to be accurate?